Inhaler apparatus with modified surfaces for enhanced release of dry powders
First Claim
1. In a inhaler apparatus, the combination comprising:
- a substrate with a textured surface comprising indentations or raised areas defining valleys of predetermined dimensions and spacings; and
a plurality of medicament particles having dimensions of a selected size range for inhalation deposited on the substrate;
said substrate textured surface having contact areas with the deposited medicament particles, the indentations or raised areas defining valleys of dimensions and spacings relative to the dimensions of the particles, which relative dimensions decrease the area of contact between the deposited medicament particles thereby reducing the adherence of the medicament particles to the textured surface.
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Abstract
In one aspect, the present invention provides an inhaler apparatus comprising interior surfaces having contact with a medicament for inhalation, the interior surfaces including an interior surface of a mouthpiece and a substrate with medicament deposited thereon, at least one of such interior surfaces comprising indentations or raised areas therein, the raised areas having valleys therebetween. In certain preferred embodiments, the interior surface is a surface on a substrate having medicament deposited thereon, and in other preferred embodiments, the interior surface is an interior surface of the mouthpiece of the inhaler. In addition to providing surface topology for minimizing the area of contact between the medicament and the surfaces of the inhaler, the surfaces are preferably made of a material having a low surface energy, and more preferably, also having, when uncharged, no substantial van der Waals or electrostatic interaction with the medicament. Furthermore, the material is preferably substantially chemically unreactive with the medicament.
66 Citations
15 Claims
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1. In a inhaler apparatus, the combination comprising:
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a substrate with a textured surface comprising indentations or raised areas defining valleys of predetermined dimensions and spacings; and
a plurality of medicament particles having dimensions of a selected size range for inhalation deposited on the substrate;
said substrate textured surface having contact areas with the deposited medicament particles, the indentations or raised areas defining valleys of dimensions and spacings relative to the dimensions of the particles, which relative dimensions decrease the area of contact between the deposited medicament particles thereby reducing the adherence of the medicament particles to the textured surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification