Breath-activated metered-dose inhaler

• US 6,260,549 B1
• Filed: 06/18/1998
• Issued: 07/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Clavius Devices Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Clavius Devices Incorporated
• Inventors: Sosiak, Alexander K. D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weiss, John G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WEISS JR, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US09/099,362
• Time in Patent Office: 1,125 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.14, 128/200.19, 128/200.23, 128/203.12, 128/203.15, 128/203.25, 128/200.24, 128/200.22, 128/202.28, 128/202.29, 128/203.11, 128/205.11, 128/201.29, 128/202.21, 131/270, 131/271, 131/272, 131/273, 482/13, 600/530, 600/531, 600/532, 600/533, 600/543
• US Class Current: 128/200.23
• 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 15/008 Electronic counters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0083 Timers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/009 using medicine packages with incorporated spraying means, e.g. aerosol cans pocket atomiser of the injector type A61M11/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0021 with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit

Abstract

The invention provides a device for dispensing medication in the respiratory system, with provision for breath-activation; open and closed-mouth technique; recording and control of dosage; and enhanced atomization of liquid medication. This is accomplished with a device that uses a medication canister with an integral battery and circuitry, the battery providing power for electro-mechanical activation, counting medication dosage used or remaining, and controlling device activation. The invention has capability for use with dry and wet medication, and is easily cocked with a simple manual action.

Claims

1. A breath-activated apparatus for dispensing air-mixed medication comprising:

an electronic sensor for producing a signal in response to a breath;

a mechanical actuator triggered by the signal for dispensing the medication;

a battery on a replaceable medication canister providing power for the electronic sensor; and

a mouthpiece in communication with the sensor and the canister, the mouthpiece having an outer tube and an inner tube disposed therein, such that when the actuator is triggered the inner tube moves causing release of the medication into the mouthpiece.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the breath-activated apparatus is capable of delivering liquid medication.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the breath-activated apparaus is capable of delivering dry medication.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a first mouth position on the inner tube; and

a second mouth position on the outer tube, the positions alternatively useable for producing the signal.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein, user engagement and inhalation at the first mouth position initiates the generation of a first medication-to-air ratio by the apparatus and user engagement and inhalation at the second mouth position generates a second medication-to-air ration wherein the first ratio generated is different relative to second ratio.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a medication dosage regulator cooperating with the canister.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the medication dosage regulator draws power from the battery on the replaceable medication canister.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a usage recorder cooperating with the canister.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the usage recorder draws power from the battery on the replaceable medication canister.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an indicator of remaining medication dosage cooperating with the canister.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the indicator of remaining medication dosage draws power from the battery on the replaceable medication canister.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an air flow by-pass around an airflow sensor during dispensing of the medication.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a manual cocking mechanism for manual cocking of the mechanical actuator.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a sound-dampening device cooperating with the mechanical actuator.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the sound-dampening device is a dashpot.

16. A breath-activated apparatus for dispensing air-mixed medication comprising:

an electronic sensor for producing a signal in response to a breath;

a mechanical actuator triggered by the signal for dispensing the medication;

a battery on a replaceable medication canister providing power for the electronic sensor;

a mouthpiece in communication with the sensor and the canister, the mouthpiece having an outer tube and an inner tube disposed therein, such that when air is drawn through the mouthpiece across the sensor the signal is produced that causes the actuator to allow the inner tube to move and release the medication into the mouthpiece; and

a gate in communication with the sensor, canister and mouthpiece for allowing air to be mixed with the medication when the medication is dispensed.

17. A breath-activated apparatus for dispensing air-mixed medication comprising:

a main body having an opening in communication with ambient air;

a replaceable aerosol medication canister having a battery for providing power to a circuit, the canister having a nozzle for dispensing the medication;

a flow sensor located in the opening for detecting inhalation;

a mouthpiece extending from the main body and in communication with the nozzle and the sensor, the mouthpiece having an outer tube, and an inner tube disposed within the outer tube, the inner tube having an end;

a spring disposed around the inner tube;

a latch having a retainer for holding the inner tube and preventing movement of the inner tube by the spring;

a dash pot attached to the outer tube for dampening motion of the inner tube relative to the main body; and

a solenoid disposed on the main body and activated by the flow sensor such that the circuit senses a change in current when air is drawn through the mouthpiece across the flow sensor which causes the solenoid to move the latch which releases the retainer and allows the spring to move the inner tube relative to the main body causing the end of the inner tube to depress the nozzle and release aerosolized medication into the mouthpiece for inhalation.

18. A breath-activated apparatus for dispensing air-mixed medication comprising:

a main body having an opening in communication with ambient air;

a replaceable aerosol medication canister having a battery for providing power to a circuit, the canister having a nozzle for dispensing the medication;

a flow sensor located in the opening for detecting inhalation;

a mouthpiece extending from the main body and in communication with the nozzle and the sensor, the mouthpiece having an outer tube, and an inner tube disposed within the outer tube, the inner tube having an end; and

a solenoid disposed on the main body and activated by the flow sensor such that the circuit senses a change in current when air is drawn through the mouthpiece across the flow sensor which causes the solenoid to allow movement of the inner tube relative to the main body causing the end of the inner tube to depress the nozzle and release aerosolized medication into the mouthpiece for inhalation.

19. A breath-activated apparatus for dispensing air-mixed medication comprising:

a main body for housing a canister containing medication, the main body having an opening in communication with ambient air;

a circuit exposed to the opening for detecting inhalation; and

a mouthpiece extending from the main body and in communication with the canister and the circuit, the mouthpiece having an outer tube, and an inner tube disposed therein, such that the circuit senses a change in current when air is drawn through the mouthpiece and allows the inner tube to contact the canister to release aerosolized medication into the mouthpiece for inhalation.

20. A breath-activated apparatus for dispensing air-mixed medication comprising:

a main body for housing a canister containing medication, the main body having an opening in communication with ambient air;

a circuit exposed to the opening for detecting inhalation;

a gate in communication with the opening for allowing air to be mixed with the medication when the medication is dispensed; and

a mouthpiece extending from the main body and in communication with the canister and the circuit, the mouthpiece having an outer tube, and an inner tube disposed therein, such that the circuit senses a change in current when air is drawn through the mouthpiece and allows the inner tube to contact the canister to release aerosolized medication into the mouthpiece for inhalation.