Metering valve for a metered dose inhaler having improved flow

• US 6,640,805 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2002
• Issued: 11/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Castro, Gustavo H., Arsenault, Cathleen M., Davis, Antony J., Herdtle, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Lo, Weilun
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mendoza, Michael G.
• Application Number:
  US10/100,641
• Publication Number:
  US 20020134376A1
• Time in Patent Office: 595 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.23, 128/200.13, 128/200.14, 222/402.1, 222/394, 222/372, 222/402.19, 222/402.16, 222/402.2
• 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: B65D 83/54 Metering valves ; Metering valve assemblies

Abstract

A novel metering valve having improved flow for delivery of an aerosol formulation is disclosed. Methods of delivering an aerosol formulation using a device comprising the novel metering valve are also disclosed.

Claims

1. An aerosol valve stem comprising:

a body comprising a body wall defining an internal chamber;

at least one inlet port through the body wall in fluid communication with the internal chamber;

a channel opening in the body wall having a height and a width wherein the width is greater than the height; and

at least one channel providing fluid communication between the internal chamber and the channel opening.

2. The aerosol valve stem of claim 1 wherein the height of the channel opening is from about 0.01 mm to about 1.0 mm.

3. The aerosol valve stem of claim 2 wherein the height of the channel opening is from about 0.1 mm to about 0.8 mm.

4. The aerosol valve stem of claim 2 wherein the height of the channel opening is about 0.25 mm.

5. The aerosol valve stem of claim 1 wherein the channel opening completely encircles the valve stem.

6. The aerosol valve stem of claim 1 wherein the channel opening comprises at least one rounded edge or at least one beveled edge.

7. The aerosol valve stem of claim 1 wherein at least one channel intersects with at least one channel opening at an angle of from about +90°

to about −

90°

relative to a horizontal axis of the valve stem.

8. The aerosol valve stem of claim 7 wherein at least one channel intersects with at least one channel opening at an angle of from about +45°

to about −

45°

relative to a horizontal axis of the valve stem.

9. The aerosol valve stem of claim 7 wherein at least one channel intersects with at least one channel opening at an angle of about 0°

relative to a horizontal axis of the valve stem.

10. An aerosol valve stem comprising:

a body comprising a body wall defining an internal chamber;

at least one inlet port through the body wall in fluid communication with the internal chamber;

a plurality of channel openings in the body wall, each channel opening having a height and a width wherein at least two channel openings define a cumulative width, and wherein the cumulative width is greater than the height; and

at least one channel providing fluid communication between the internal chamber and each channel opening.

11. The aerosol valve stem of claim 10 wherein the height of at least one channel opening is from about 0.01 mm to about 1.0 mm.

12. A method of delivering an aerosol dose of medicine comprising:

a) providing an inhaler that comprises a valve stem comprising;

i) a body comprising a body wall defining an internal chamber,

ii) at least one inlet port through the body wall in fluid communication with the internal chamber,

iii) a channel opening in the body wall having a height and a width wherein the width is greater than the height, and

iv) at least one channel providing fluid communication between the internal chamber and the channel opening;

b) providing a formulation of aerosol medicine contained within the inhaler; and

c) actuating the inhaler.

13. A method of delivering an aerosol dose of medicine comprising:

a) providing an inhaler that comprises a valve stem comprising;

i) a body comprising a body wall defining an internal chamber,

ii) at least one inlet port through the body wall in fluid communication with the internal chamber,

iii) a plurality of channel openings in the body wall, each channel opening having a height and a width wherein at least two channel openings define an cumulative width, and wherein the cumulative width is greater than the height, and

iv) at least one channel providing fluid communication between the internal chamber and each channel opening;

b) providing a formulation of aerosol medicine contained within the inhaler; and

c) actuating the inhaler.

14. A metering valve comprising:

a housing comprising an internal chamber defined by one or more chamber walls, the internal chamber comprising an outlet aperture;

a diaphragm positioned at the outlet aperture and in sealing engagement with at least a portion of the housing;

a metering gasket in sealing engagement with one or more chamber walls;

a valve stem comprising;

i) a body comprising a body wall defining an internal chamber,

ii) at least one inlet port through the body wall in fluid communication with the internal chamber,

iii) a channel opening in the body wall having a height and a width wherein the width is greater than the height, and

iv) at least one channel providing fluid communication between the internal chamber and the channel opening,

wherein the valve stem passes through the aperture in slidable sealing engagement with both of the diaphragm and the metering gasket; and

an annular space having a width defined by a distance between the chamber wall and the valve stem.

15. The metering valve of claim 14 wherein the height of the channel opening is from about 1 to about 5 times the width of the annular space.

16. The metering valve of claim 14 wherein the height of the channel opening is about 3 times the width of the annular space.

17. The metering valve of claim 14 wherein the height of the channel opening is from about 0.01 mm to about 1.0 mm.

18. The metering valve of claim 17 wherein the height of the channel opening is from about 0.1 mm to about 0.8 mm.

19. The metering valve of claim 17 wherein the height of the channel opening is about 0.25 mm.

20. The metering valve of claim 14 wherein the channel opening completely encircles the valve stem.

21. The metering valve of claim 14 wherein the channel opening comprises at least one rounded edge or at least one beveled edge.

22. The metering valve of claim 14 wherein at least one channel intersects with at least one channel opening at an angle of from about +90°

to about −

90°

relative to a horizontal axis of the valve stem.

23. The metering valve of claim 22 wherein at least one channel intersects with at least one channel opening at an angle of from about +45°

to about −

45°

relative to a horizontal axis of the valve stem.

24. The metering valve of claim 22 wherein at least one channel intersects with at least one channel opening at an angle of about 0°

relative to a horizontal axis of the valve stem.

25. A metering valve comprising:

a housing comprising an internal chamber defined by one or more chamber walls, the internal chamber comprising an outlet aperture;

a diaphragm positioned at the outlet aperture and in sealing engagement with at least a portion of the housing;

a metering gasket in sealing engagement with one or more chamber walls;

a valve stem comprising;

i) a body comprising a body wall defining an internal chamber,

ii) at least one inlet port through the body wall in fluid communication with the internal chamber,

iii) a plurality channel openings in the body wall, each channel opening having a height and a width wherein at least two channel openings define a cumulative width, and wherein the cumulative width is greater than the height; and

iv) at least one channel providing fluid communication between the internal chamber and each channel opening,

wherein the valve stem passes through the aperture in slidable sealing engagement with both of the diaphragm and the metering gasket; and

an annular space having a width defined by a distance between the chamber wall and the valve stem.

26. The metering valve of claim 25 wherein the height of at least one channel opening is from about 1 to about 5 times the width of the annular space.

27. The metering valve of claim 25 wherein the height of at least one channel opening is about 3 times the width of the annular space.

28. The metering valve of claim 25 wherein the height of at least one channel opening is from about 0.01 mm to about 1.0 mm.

29. The metering valve of claim 28 wherein the height of at least one channel opening is from about 0.1 mm to about 0.8 mm.

30. The metering valve of claim 28 wherein the height of at least one channel opening is about 0.25 mm.