Dry powder inhalation device

• US 6,012,454 A
• Filed: 06/10/1997
• Issued: 01/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co (3M Company)
• Inventors: Hodson, Peter David, Wass, Anthony Charles Lammond, Smith, David Keith
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, Aaron J.
• Application Number:
  US08/872,259
• Time in Patent Office: 945 Days
• Field of Search: 128/203.12, 128/203.15, 128/200.14, 128/200.16, 128/200.17, 128/200.21, 128/200.22, 128/200.24, 128/203.21, 128/203.23, 128/204.1 3, 604/56
• US Class Current: 128/203.15
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0013 with inhalation check valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0016 located downstream of the dispenser, i.e. traversed by the product
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0018 with exhalation check valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0025 with caps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0028 using prepacked dosages, one for each application, e.g. capsules to be perforated or broken-up
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0043 Non-destructive separation of the package, e.g. peeling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0045 using multiple prepacked dosages on a same carrier, e.g. blisters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0048 the dosages being arranged in a plane, e.g. on diskettes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0051 the dosages being arranged on a tape, e.g. strips
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0055 the used dosages being coiled
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0078 on a strip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0085 using ultrasonics spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0091 mechanically breath-triggered
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0093 without arming or cocking, e.g. acting directly on the delivery valve
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/02 with activated or ionised fluids, e.g. electrohydrodynamic [EHD] or electrostatic devices; Ozone-inhalators with radioactive tagged particles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0024 with an on-off output signal, e.g. from a switch
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/064 Powder
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated

Abstract

A dry powder inhaler comprises a housing that has a portion that receives a dose of powdered medicament, a patient port that is placed in fluid communication with a patient; an inhalation passageway in communication with the patient port, a deagglomerator that deagglomerates or assists in aerosolization of the dose of powdered medicament; an electric powered device that drives the deagglomerator; a patient-independent energy output source that drives the electric powered device, a detector that detects inspiratory flow through the inhalation passageway; and a controller for actuating the deagglomerator in response to detection of the inspiratory flow by the detector.

Claims

1. A dry powder inhaler comprising:

a housing that has a portion that receives a dose of powdered medicament,

a patient port for being placed in fluid communication with a patient;

an inhalation passageway in communication with the patient port,

a deagglomerator that deagglomerates or assists in aerosolization of the dose of powdered medicament;

an electric powered device that drives the deagglomerator;

a patient-independent energy output source that drives the electric powered device,

a detector that detects inspiratory flow through the inhalation passageway; and

a controller for actuating the deagglomerator in response to detection of the inspiratory flow by the detector.

2. A dry powder inhaler according to claim 1 wherein the patient-independent energy output source comprises a battery.

3. A dry powder inhaler according to claim 1 wherein the detector is a flow sensor.

4. A dry powder inhaler according to claim 1 wherein the detector is a movable vane.

5. A dry powder inhaler according to claim 1 wherein the controller comprises a mechanical linkage between the detector and deagglomerator.

6. A dry powder inhaler according to claim 5 wherein the controller is a switch.

7. A dry powder inhaler according to claim 1 wherein the deagglomerator is an impeller.