Adaptors for inhalers to improve performance

• US 7,343,914 B2
• Filed: 09/06/2002
• Issued: 03/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: MicroDose Therapeutx, Inc. (Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited)
• Original Assignee: Microdose Technologies Inc. (Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd.)
• Inventors: Abrams, Andrew L., Gumaste, Anand V.
• Primary Examiner(s): MITCHELL, TEENA KAY
• Application Number:
  US10/236,155
• Publication Number:
  US 20030041859A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,020 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.12, 128/200.14, 128/200.17, 128/200.18, 128/200.22, 128/200.23, 128/203.12, 128/203.15, 128/203.18, 128/203.19, 128/203.21, 128/204.25, 128/202.27, 128/201.26, 128/201.11, 604/58
• US Class Current: 128/200.23
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0086 Inhalation chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/101 using an oxygen concentrator
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0015 inhalation detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/43 making noise when used correctly
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback

Abstract

A child-sized adaptor for a DPI or MDI is provided. Also provided is a patient feedback mechanism for signaling and/or teaching proper inhaler use.

Claims

1. A mouthpiece adaptor for a dry powder or metered dose inhaler from which charge bearing particles are delivered to a patient comprising:

a connecting side for connecting to a mouthpiece of an inhaler;

a mouthpiece side of reduced size relative to the inhaler mouthpiece; and

a transition section between said connecting side and mouthpiece side, wherein the transition section is covered at least in part by a foil which is charged to the same charge as said particles, and the adaptor is smoothly tapered along its entire length from the connecting side to the mouthpiece side.

2. The adaptor of claim 1, further comprising attachment means for fixing the mouthpiece adaptor to the mouthpiece of an inhaler.

3. The adaptor of claim 2, wherein said attachment means comprises a clamp.

4. The adaptor of claim 3, wherein the mouthpiece side is round in cross-section.

5. The adaptor of claim 2, wherein the attachment means comprises a friction fit.

6. The adaptor of claim 2, wherein said attachment means comprises a rubber band.

7. The adaptor of claim 1, wherein the transition section is funnel shaped.

8. The adaptor of claim 1, wherein the transition section is curved.

9. The adaptor of claim 8, wherein said transition section is airfoil shaped, in part.

10. A mouthpiece adaptor for a dry powder or metered dose inhaler from which charge bearing particles are delivered to a patient comprising:

a connecting side for connecting to a mouthpiece of an inhaler;

a mouthpiece side of reduced size relative to the inhaler mouthpiece; and

a transition section between said connecting side and mouthpiece side,

wherein said adaptor includes a flow sensor, and is covered at least in part by a foil which is charged to the same charge as said particles.

11. The adaptor of claim 10, further comprising a noise generator operatively connected to said flow sensor.

12. The adaptor of claim 10, further comprising one or more lights operatively connected to said flow sensor.

13. A unitary mouthpiece adaptor for a dry powder or metered dose inhaler from which charge bearing particles are delivered to a patient comprising:

a connecting side for direct connection to a mouthpiece of an inhaler;

a mouthpiece side of reduced size relative to the inhaler mouthpiece; and

a transition section between said connecting side and mouthpiece side,

wherein the adaptor is smoothly tapered along its entire length to the mouthpiece side, and is covered at least in part by a foil which is charged to the same charge as the particles.

14. The adaptor of claim 13, further comprising attachment means for fixing the mouthpiece adaptor to the mouthpiece of an inhaler.

15. The adaptor of claim 14, wherein said attachment means comprises a clamp.

16. The adaptor of claim 15, wherein the mouthpiece side is round in cross-section.

17. The adaptor of claim 14, wherein the attachment means comprises a friction fit.

18. The adaptor of claim 13, wherein the transition section is funnel shaped.

19. A unitary mouthpiece adaptor for a dry powder or metered dose inhaler from which charge bearing particles are delivered to a patient comprising:

a connecting side for direct connection to a mouthpiece of an inhaler;

a mouthpiece side of reduced size relative to the inhaler mouthpiece; and

a transition section between said connecting side and mouthpiece side,

further comprising attachment means for fixing the mouthpiece adaptor to the mouthpiece of an inhaler,

wherein said attachment means is a clamp, and

wherein the transition section is covered, at least in part, by a foil which is charged to the same charge as the particles.

20. The adaptor of claim 19, wherein said attachment means comprises a rubber band.

21. The adaptor of claim 19, wherein the transition section is curved.

22. The adaptor of claim 21, wherein said transition section is airfoil shaped, in part.

23. A unitary mouthpiece adaptor for a dry powder or metered dose inhaler from which charge bearing particles are delivered to a patient comprising:

a connecting side for direct connection to a mouthpiece of an inhaler;

a mouthpiece side of reduced size relative to the inhaler mouthpiece; and

a transition section between said connecting side and mouthpiece side,

wherein said adaptor includes a flow sensor, and is covered at least in part by a foil which is charged to the same charge as the particles.

24. The adaptor of claim 23, further comprising a noise generator operatively connected to said flow sensor.

25. The adaptor of claim 23, further comprising one or more lights operatively connected to said flow sensor.

26. A mouthpiece adaptor for a dry powder or metered dose inhaler comprising:

a connecting side for connecting to a mouthpiece of an inhaler;

a mouthpiece side of reduced size relative to the inhaler mouthpiece; and

a transition section between said connecting side and mouthpiece side,

wherein said mouthpiece side has a cross-sectional size and shape of a drinking straw, and the adaptor is smoothly tapered along its entire length from the connecting side to the mouthpiece side whereupon airflow may be concentrated with minimum turbulence.

27. The adaptor of claim 26, further comprising attachment means for fixing the mouthpiece adaptor to the mouthpiece of an inhaler.

28. The adaptor of claim 26, wherein said attachment means comprises a clamp.

29. The adaptor of claim 27, wherein the attachment means comprises a friction fit.

30. The adaptor of claim 26, wherein the transition section is funnel shaped.

31. The adaptor of claim 27, wherein said attachment means comprises a rubber band.

32. The adaptor of claim 26, wherein the transition section is curved.

33. The adaptor of claim 26, wherein said transition section is airfoil shaped, in part.

34. A mouthpiece adaptor for a dry powder or metered dose inhaler comprising:

a connecting side for connecting to a mouthpiece of an inhaler;

a mouthpiece side of reduced size relative to the inhaler mouthpiece; and

a transition section between said connecting side and mouthpiece side,

wherein said mouthpiece side has a cross-sectional size and shape of a drinking straw, and the adaptor is smoothly tapered along its entire length from the connecting side to the mouthpiece side whereupon airflow may be concentrated with minimum turbulence, and

wherein said adaptor further includes a flow sensor.

35. The adaptor of claim 34, further comprising a noise generator operatively connected to said flow sensor.

36. The adaptor of claim 34, further comprising one or more lights operatively connected to said flow sensor.

37. A unitary mouthpiece adaptor for a dry powder or metered dose inhaler comprising:

a connecting side for direct connection to a mouthpiece of an inhaler;

a mouthpiece side of reduced size relative to the inhaler mouthpiece; and

a transition section between said connecting side and mouthpiece side,

wherein the adaptor is smoothly tapered along its entire length to the mouthpiece side whereupon airflow may be concentrated with minimal turbulence, and

wherein said mouthpiece side has a cross-sectional size and shape of a drinking straw.

38. The adaptor of claim 37, further comprising attachment means for fixing the mouthpiece adaptor to the mouthpiece of an inhaler.

39. The adaptor of claim 38, wherein said attachment means comprises a clamp.

40. The adaptor of claim 38, wherein the attachment means comprises a friction fit.

41. The adaptor of claim 37, wherein the transition section is funnel shaped.

42. A unitary mouthpiece adaptor for a dry powder or metered dose inhaler comprising:

a connecting side for direct connection to a mouthpiece of an inhaler;

a mouthpiece side of reduced size relative to the inhaler mouthpiece; and

a transition section between said connecting side and mouthpiece side,

further comprising attachment means for fixing the mouthpiece adaptor to the mouthpiece of an inhaler,

wherein the adaptor is smoothly tapered along its entire length from the connecting side to the mouthpiece side whereupon airflow may be concentrated with minimum turbulence,

wherein said attachment means comprises a clamp, and

wherein said mouthpiece side has a cross-sectional size and shape of a drinking straw.

43. The adaptor of claim 42, wherein said clamp comprises a rubber band.

44. The adaptor of claim 42, wherein the transition section is curved.

45. The adaptor of claim 42, wherein said transition section is airfoil shaped, in part.

46. A unitary mouthpiece adaptor for a dry powder or metered dose inhaler comprising:

a connecting side for direct connection to a mouthpiece of an inhaler;

a mouthpiece side of reduced size relative to the inhaler mouthpiece; and

a transition section between said connecting side and mouthpiece side,

wherein said adaptor is smoothly tapered along its entire length from the connecting side to the mouthpiece side whereupon airflow may be concentrated with minimum turbulence,

wherein said adaptor includes a flow sensor, and

wherein said mouthpiece side has a cross-sectional size and shape of a drinking straw.

47. The adaptor of claim 46, further comprising a noise generator operatively connected to said flow sensor.

48. The adaptor of claim 46, further comprising one or more lights operatively connected to said flow sensor.