Slow spray metered dose inhaler

• US 6,615,826 B1
• Filed: 02/22/2000
• Issued: 09/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Gabrio, Brian J., Velasquez, David J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dawson, Glenn K.
• Application Number:
  US09/510,388
• Time in Patent Office: 1,295 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200-4-2, 128/203.23, 128/207.14
• US Class Current: 128/200.23
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/001 Particle size control
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0086 Inhalation chambers
• 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 15/0096 Hindering inhalation before activation of the dispenser

Abstract

A pressurized metered dose inhaler having an actuator constructed and arranged so as to inhibit airflow due to patient inhalation in the vicinity of the orifice of the nozzle block when the valve stem is in its dispensing position. This design reduces unwanted oropharyngeal deposition of medicament and increases the relative amount of medicament to the lung.

Claims

1. An inhaler for medicament comprising an aerosol canister containing a pressurised medicament formulation equipped with a metered dose dispensing valve having a valve stem movable between non-dispensing and dispensing positions, and an actuator comprising a housing containing the aerosol canister and defining a chamber having a plurality of air inlets and a patient port in the form of a mouthpiece or nasal adapter through which inhalation by a patient generates an air flow, and a nozzle block adapted to receive the valve stem of the dispensing valve, the nozzle block comprising a passage in communication with the valve stem and terminating in an orifice for directing medicament from the valve stem into the chamber, wherein the actuator is constructed and arranged so as to inhibit airflow in the vicinity of the orifice of the nozzle block when the valve stem is in its dispensing position, and wherein the airflow due to patient inhalation is not prevented or inhibited in the vicinity of the orifice at all times, and wherein one of the air inlets is formed between the canister and housing when the valve is in its non-dispensing position and said one inlet is sealed when the valve is in its dispensing position.

2. An inhaler as claimed in claim 1 wherein the distance from the orifice to patient port is from 1 to 15 cm, and the mouthpiece diameter between 1 to 4 cm.

3. An inhaler as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plurality of air inlets comprise a multiplicity of numerous, small air channels which serve to provide a large surface area for air to enter the mouthpiece.

4. An inhaler as claimed in claim 3 wherein the air channels are in the form of a microporous membrane.

5. An inhaler as claimed in claim 1, comprising a baffle in the form of a thin disk defining a plurality of circular passages therethrough, configured to reduce direct contact between the medicament and the patient other than by inhalation.