Delivery system

• US 7,207,330 B1
• Filed: 06/05/2000
• Issued: 04/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Innovata Biomed Limited (Vectura Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Innovata Biomed Limited (Vectura Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Braithwaite, Philip
• Primary Examiner(s): MITCHELL, TEENA KAY
• Application Number:
  US09/980,999
• Time in Patent Office: 2,514 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.14, 128/203.12, 128/203.15, 128/200.11, 128/200.17, 128/200.23, 128/200.24, 128/203.19, 128/203.21
• US Class Current: 128/203.15
• 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 2202/064 Powder

Abstract

There is described a medicament delivery device which comprises a medicament reservoir, a medicament delivery passage and a metering member adapted to transfer a measured dose of medicament from the medicament reservoir to the delivery passage characterized in that the device is provided with a moisture proof barrier. The medicament delivery device is especially suited for use as an inhaler. There is therefore also described an inhaler which provides improved airflow for the dispersion of medicament, and a method of treating patients suffering from a respiratory disorder.

Claims

1. A medicament delivery device comprising:

a medicament reservoir;

an inhalation passage; and

a metering member, provided with at least one dispensing cup, adapted to transfer a measured dose of medicament from the medicament reservoir to a medicament delivery position;

wherein the metering member comprises a medicament dispensing member and a medicament measuring member associated therewith, said medicament measuring member being provided with at least one measuring chamber for transferring medicament from the reservoir to the dispensing cup,

the arrangement being such that the metering member can be moved from a measuring position, in which medicament is transferred from the reservoir to the measuring chamber, to a medicament transfer position, in which medicament is transferred from the measuring chamber to the dispensing cup, and to a medicament delivery position and wherein the dispensing cup is provided with an air duct.

2. A medicament delivery device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device is provided with a moisture proof barrier.

3. The delivery device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said metering member comprises a moisture resistant sleeve.

4. The delivery device according to claim 3 wherein at least one aperture in said sleeve provides said at least one measuring chamber.

5. An inhaler comprising:

a medicament reservoir;

an inhalation passage; and

a metering member, provided with at least one dispensing cup, adapted to transfer a measured dose of medicament from the medicament reservoir to a medicament delivery position;

wherein the metering member comprises a medicament dispensing member and a medicament measuring member associated therewith, said medicament measuring member being provided with at least one measuring chamber for transferring medicament from the reservoir to said dispensing cup,

the arrangement being such that the metering member can be moved from a measuring position, in which medicament is transferred from the reservoir to the measuring chamber, to a medicament transfer position, in which medicament is transferred from the measuring chamber to the dispensing cup, and to a medicament delivery position; and

wherein the dispensing cup is provided with a duct to provide a flow of air through the cup and into the inhalation passage upon operation of the inhaler.

6. An inhaler according to claim 5 characterized in that the metering member comprises an outer sleeve and a dispensing member.