Dry powder inhaler
First Claim
1. A dry powder inhaler for use with a removable dosing cartridge, wherein said dosing cartridge includes a dry powder in a cell with one or more sealed openings, the dry powder inhaler comprising:
- a housing adapted to removably receive a dosing cartridge, the housing defining three passages;
a first valve for controlling the flow of gas from the first passage to the second passage; and
a mouthpiece;
whereinthe first passage includes a connection adapted for connecting to a source of pressurized gas;
the second and third passages have a suspension system for separately connecting to and rupturing the sealed openings of a cell, and additionally for suspending a dry powder; and
the third passage is further connected to the mouthpiece.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A dry powder inhaler includes a housing, a dosing cartridge, and a spacer. Within the housing are a source of pressurized gas, a pressure gauge, a metered valve controlled by a trigger, a safety valve, and an electrostatic charger also controlled by the trigger. The dosing cartridge contains individual doses in airtight cells with one or more openings, each covered by an airtight coversheet. The system uses gas pressure or a penetration device to rupture one of the airtight cells, suspending the powder and directing it to a spacer for subsequent inhalation. The electrostatic charger discharges on the spacer, establishing an electrostatic charge thereon. The spacer includes a non-stick lining. The housing is designed so that it can retract into the spacer.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A dry powder inhaler for use with a removable dosing cartridge, wherein said dosing cartridge includes a dry powder in a cell with one or more sealed openings, the dry powder inhaler comprising:
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a housing adapted to removably receive a dosing cartridge, the housing defining three passages; a first valve for controlling the flow of gas from the first passage to the second passage; and a mouthpiece;
whereinthe first passage includes a connection adapted for connecting to a source of pressurized gas; the second and third passages have a suspension system for separately connecting to and rupturing the sealed openings of a cell, and additionally for suspending a dry powder; and the third passage is further connected to the mouthpiece. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for using a pressurized gas to dispense a dose of dry powder for inhalation from an airtight cell with one or more sealed openings, said method comprising:
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providing an airtight cell with one or more sealed openings having a dose of dry powder therein; rupturing at least one sealed opening in the airtight cell and blowing a pressurized gas into the cell, thereby pressurizing the cell and forming a suspension of the dry powder in the gas; separately rupturing one of the sealed openings and allowing the pressurized suspension in the cell to flow out of the cell; and directing the suspension for inhalation. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification