Medication dispenser

• US 6,752,145 B1
• Filed: 11/19/2001
• Issued: 06/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smithkline Beecham Corporation (Smithkline Beecham PLC)
• Original Assignee: Smithkline Beecham Corporation (Smithkline Beecham PLC)
• Inventors: Jones, Anthony Patrick Charles, Bonney, Stanley George, Robertson, Duncan
• Primary Examiner(s): Lo, Weilun
• Assistant Examiner(s): MITCHELL, TEENA KAY
• Application Number:
  US09/979,485
• Time in Patent Office: 946 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.12, 128/200.14, 128/200.23, 128/200.24, 128/905, 128/203.12, 128/203.15, 128/203.14, 600/538, 222/36, 222/38, 222/23, 222/41, 222/45, 222/49
• US Class Current: 128/200.23
• 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 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 by tactile feedback

Abstract

A dispenser for dispensing medicament comprising a housing; locatable within said housing, a container having a dispensing aperture, wherein said container is movable relative to the housing to enable dispensing therefrom; and an actuation-indicator for detecting movement of the container relative to the housing, said actuation-indicator comprising a first part defining a pocket having an outlet therefrom and a second part movable relative to said first part to create a pressure change at said outlet. The dispenser is suitable for dispensing medicament for the treatment of respiratory disorders.

Claims

1. A dispenser for dispensing medicament or placebo comprising a housing;

locatable within said housing, a container having a dispensing aperture, wherein said container is movable relative to the housing to enable dispensing therefrom; and

an actuation-indicator for detecting movement of the container relative to the housing, said actuation-indicator comprising a first part defining a pocket having an outlet therefrom and a second part movable relative to said first part to create a pressure change at said outlet.

2. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said first and second parts jointly define a chamber and the second part comprises a flexible wall or membrane which is resiliently deformable to create said pressure change.

3. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said pocket of the first part is shaped for snug receipt of said second part to define a piston arrangement.

4. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the outlet is in communication with a pressure gauge to measure the pressure change.

5. A dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the pressure gauge comprises a pressure transducer.

6. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the actuation-indicator additionally comprises a third part defining a second pocket having an outlet therefrom;

and a pressure change channel for channelling airflow from the housing to the second pocket to create a pressure change at said outlet.

7. A dispenser according to claim 6, wherein said pressure change channel is at least partly foldable into the housing.

8. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the actuation-indicator is mountable on the exterior of the housing.

9. A dispenser according to claim 8, wherein the actuation-indicator comprises a carrier sleeve which is mountable on the exterior of the housing and separable therefrom.

10. A dispenser according to claim 9, wherein the housing has a tubular portion, the container is movable within said tubular portion and said carrier sleeve is snugly receivable by the tubular portion.

11. A dispenser according to claim 1, additionally comprising a cap which is mountable on the container wherein movement of the cap results in movement of the second part.

12. A dispenser according to claim 11, wherein the cap has a peg which engages said second part.

13. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the actuation-indicator is mountable on the container.

14. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the container is an aerosol container.

15. A dispenser according to claim 14, wherein the aerosol container provides measured doses.

16. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser is actuable in response to the breath of a user.

17. A system for training users in the operation of a dispenser comprising:

(a) a dispenser for dispensing medicament or placebo comprising a housing;

locatable within said housing a container having a dispensing aperture, wherein said container is movable relative to the housing to enable dispensing therefrom; and

an actuation-indicator for detecting movement of the container relative to the housing, said actuation-indicator comprising a first part defining a pocket having an outlet therefrom and a second part movable relative to said first part to create a pressure change at said outlet, and

(b) an indicator unit, said indicator unit being in communication with said dispenser and said indicator unit being capable of visually or audibly indicating actuation of the dispenser.

18. Use of a system for training users in the operation of a dispenser comprising:

(a) providing a system according to claim 17;

(b) actuating said dispenser, and

(c) monitoring said actuator-indicator to determine when correct operation of said device has occurred.

19. Use of a dispenser for dispensing medicament or placebo comprising:

(a) providing a dispenser comprising a housing;

locatable within said housing, a container having a dispensing aperture, wherein said container is movable relative to the housing to enable dispensing therefrom; and

an actuation-indicator for detecting movement of the container relative to the housing, said actuation-indcator comprising a first part defining a pocket having an outlet therefrom and a second part movable relative to said first part to create a pressure change at said outlet; and

(b) actuating said dispenser to dispense a dose of medicament or placebo.