Device for an inhaler

• US 6,089,227 A
• Filed: 12/22/1997
• Issued: 07/18/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microdrug AG
• Original Assignee: Microdrug AG
• Inventors: Nilsson, Lars Gunnar
• Primary Examiner(s): WEISS, JOHN
• Application Number:
  US08/996,097
• Time in Patent Office: 939 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.14, 128/203.12, 128/203.15, 128/202.25, 239/102.2
• US Class Current: 128/203.15
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0065 Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices A61M15/0028 takes precedence; dosage devices incorporated in aerosol cans B65D83/52
• 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 2202/064 Powder

Abstract

An inhaler for electrical dosing of pure substances or preparates consisting of chemical and biological substances mainly used as drugs. The inhaler, which comprises a microprocessor thereby offers a flexible and measurable dose for the chemical and biological substances in the form of powders, or in the form of small drops or aerosols. The dosing is done electrically via first field generating member (23) whereby the substance is transmitted to a transmitting member which attracts the substance, from which the substance is then emitted by influence from another electrical field generated by a second field generating member (32), and the substance is finally mixed with air which is conventionally inhaled.

Claims

1. A device for an inhaler, comprising a power source for the creation of suitable electric potentials for the administration of substances, wherein dosing is achieved by an electrostatic charging of the substance via a first field generating member (23), the substance being transmitted to a transmission member, which attracts said substance, from which transmission member the substance is emitted by the influence of an additional electric field generated by a second field generating member (32), the transmission member comprising a dosing drum (24), which during rotation by a built-in motor (26) will emit the substance by the influence from the additional electric field generated by the second field generating member (32).

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the substance is emitted from a dosing drum (24) in the device by a combination of the additional electric field and an air stream resulting from inspiration.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the inhaler is additionally inspiration controlled, whereby no substance is emitted from the dosing drum (24) until an air stream has been detected by means of an air flow gauge (15).

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the inhaler is furthermore provided with an accelerator member (29), a deionizing member (30) and a diffusor member (16), which are included in a nozzle member.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the inhaler is provided with a micro processor (42) which can be programmed for the control of dosing, flows, time, number of doses, limits, and security codes, which furthermore enables an advanced follow up of the patient usage of the substance or substances during a period of time signaling overdosing, faulty usage or trends.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the inhaler is provided with a function indicator (43) which warns in the case of risk for overdosing or faulty usage and also gives clearance in case of a dose correctly emitted and received by the patient.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the substance is electrostatically charged by tribocharging or inductive charging to a potential.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the inhaler is coupled with the person performing the inspiration thereby decreasing the risk of substance depositing in the mouth and in the upper airways.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the substances which are dosed are thus prepared that their electrical characteristics are suited for the electric dosing.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the substance is a powder and the electrical characteristics of the powder are optimized by the addition of carriers, or by surface treatment of the powder, and wherein a correct particle size and particle structure is used.