Dry powder inhaler
First Claim
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1. A dry powder inhaler, comprising:
- an inlet channel through which air enters the inhaler;
a chamber that receives air from the inlet channel, the chamber containing a single actuator to which a powdered medicament is adhered, wherein the chamber has a longitudinal axis, and wherein the inlet channel is generally co-axial with the longitudinal axis;
a retaining member disposed at an end of the chamber opposite the inlet channel, the retaining member having one or more openings sized to permit air and the powdered medicament to pass through the retaining member, and to prevent the actuator from passing through the retaining member; and
an outlet channel through which air and the powdered medicament leave the inhaler to be delivered to a patient, wherein the outlet channel is generally co-axial with the longitudinal axis of the chamber;
wherein the geometry of the inhaler is such that a flow profile is generated within the chamber that causes the single actuator to repeatedly oscillate generally co-axially with the longitudinal axis, thus, by virtue of the repeated oscillations, detaching the powdered medicament from the surface of the actuator to be entrained by the air and delivered to the patient through the outlet channel.
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Abstract
A dry powder inhaler includes a chamber holding an actuator to which a powdered medicament is adhered. Air is drawn into the chamber through an inlet flow channel and exits through an outlet flow channel. The actuator oscillates in response to the air flow, dislodging powdered medicament to be entrained in the air flow and delivered to the patient. A retaining member prevents the actuator from exiting the chamber. Thus, the medicament may be delivered to the patient without the use of carrier particles.
192 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A dry powder inhaler, comprising:
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an inlet channel through which air enters the inhaler; a chamber that receives air from the inlet channel, the chamber containing a single actuator to which a powdered medicament is adhered, wherein the chamber has a longitudinal axis, and wherein the inlet channel is generally co-axial with the longitudinal axis; a retaining member disposed at an end of the chamber opposite the inlet channel, the retaining member having one or more openings sized to permit air and the powdered medicament to pass through the retaining member, and to prevent the actuator from passing through the retaining member; and an outlet channel through which air and the powdered medicament leave the inhaler to be delivered to a patient, wherein the outlet channel is generally co-axial with the longitudinal axis of the chamber; wherein the geometry of the inhaler is such that a flow profile is generated within the chamber that causes the single actuator to repeatedly oscillate generally co-axially with the longitudinal axis, thus, by virtue of the repeated oscillations, detaching the powdered medicament from the surface of the actuator to be entrained by the air and delivered to the patient through the outlet channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method, comprising:
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obtaining a dry power inhaler that includes an inlet channel, a chamber, and an outlet channel, wherein the chamber has a longitudinal axis and wherein the inlet is generally co-axial with the longitudinal axis, the chamber holding a single actuator, wherein one or more powdered medicaments are adhered to an outside surface of the actuator; and inhaling through the outlet channel that is generally co-axial with the longitudinal axis, causing air to flow into the inlet channel, through the chamber, and through the outlet channel, the flowing air also causing the actuator to repeatedly oscillate generally co-axially with the longitudinal axis to facilitate dislodgement of powdered medicament from the surface of the actuator to be entrained in the flowing air and carried through the outlet channel. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A dry powder inhaler, comprising:
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an inlet channel through which air enters the inhaler; a chamber that receives air from the inlet channel, the chamber containing a single actuator to which a powdered medicament is adhered, wherein the chamber has a longitudinal axis, and wherein the inlet channel is generally co-axial with the longitudinal axis; and an outlet channel through which air and the powdered medicament leave the inhaler to be delivered to a patient, wherein the outlet channel is generally co-axial with the longitudinal axis; wherein the geometry of the inhaler is such that a flow profile is generated within the chamber that causes the single actuator to repeatedly oscillate generally co-axially with the longitudinal axis, thus, by virtue of the repeated oscillations, detaching the powdered medicament from the surface of the actuator to be entrained by the air and delivered to the patient through the outlet channel.
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Specification