Inhaler

• US 7,870,856 B2
• Filed: 04/10/2007
• Issued: 01/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH (C.H. Boehringer Sohn AG & Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH (C.H. Boehringer Sohn AG & Co. KG)
• Inventors: Boeck, Georg
• Primary Examiner(s): Douglas; Steven O
• Application Number:
  US11/733,399
• Publication Number:
  US 20070240713A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,379 Days
• Field of Search: 128/203.12, 128/203.15, 128/203.21, 128/203.24
• US Class Current: 128/203.21
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/003 by passing the aerosol trough sieves or filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0028 using prepacked dosages, one for each application, e.g. capsules to be perforated or broken-up
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0041 with movable piercing or cutting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/273 preventing reuse, e.g. of disposables
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/06 Packaging for specific medical equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 43/00 Drugs for specific purposes, not provided for in groups A61P1/00-A61P41/00

Abstract

An inhaler for administering a medicament in the form of inhalable substances, formulations or mixtures of substances comprises a housing (1) having an inner cavity for holding the medicament, which is coupled to a mouthpiece (2). The housing (1) is rigidly connected to the mouthpiece (2).

Claims

1. An inhaler for administering a medicament in the form of inhalable substances, formulations, or mixtures of substances, comprising:

a housing comprising an inner cavity adapted to hold the medicament,

a mouth piece wherein the housing is rigidly connected to the mouthpiece such that the inner cavity is coupled to a mouthpiece,

a capsule including the medicament comprised within the housing,

at least one piercing means driven into the capsule, and

at least one actuating element mounted on the inhaler in a manner that an initial actuation of the actuating element causes the piercing means to pull out of the capsule.

2. The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the housing is non-releasably coupled to the mouthpiece.

3. The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the housing has an air intake opening for the inhalation of powdered medicaments.

4. The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein a component for dispersing particles is associated with the mouthpiece.

5. The inhaler according to claim 4, wherein the component is formed in one piece with the mouthpiece or an inhalation channel of the inner cavity.

6. The inhaler according to claim 4, wherein the component is constructed as a screen.

7. The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the inner cavity is filled by the manufacturer with the capsule containing the medicament.

8. The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the at least one piercing means is a pin is provided for piercing the capsule.

9. The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the actuating element is spring-loaded relative to the capsule chamber.

10. The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the capsule is releasably arranged with two spaced-apart openings on corresponding holders in the capsule chamber.

11. The inhaler according to claim 10, wherein the capsule is secured on the holders in such a way that it is freed by an air current produced by inhalation and releases the medicament.

12. The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the inner cavity comprises a transparent material.

13. The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece or the air intake opening is closed off by a removable cap.

14. The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein it is for single use.

15. The inhaler according to claim 1 for administering a powdered medicament.

16. The inhaler according to claim 1 for administering a powdered medicament containing an active substance selected from among the anticholinergics, betamimetics, steroids, phosphodiesterase IV-inhibitors, LTD4-antagonists, EGFR-kinase inhibitors, antiallergics, ergot alkaloid derivatives, triptanes, CGRP-antagonists, phosphodiesterase-V-inhibitors, and combinations of active substances of these kinds.

17. The inhaler of claim 8, wherein a diameter of the pin is configured based on a required delivery rate of the medicament.

18. The inhaler of claim 1, wherein the at least one piercing means seals the capsule to prevent escape of the medicament from the capsule.