Dry powder inhaler dose counters

• US 9,125,999 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2010
• Issued: 09/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adamas Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Adamas Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rolfs, Bryan E., Rush, Benjamin L., Toback, Jonathan D., Hodson, Peter D., Stein, Stephen W., Domroese, Michael K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Skorupa, Valerie L
• Assistant Examiner(s): SUL, DOUGLAS YOUNG
• Application Number:
  US13/320,761
• Publication Number:
  US 20120152245A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,940 Days
• Field of Search: 128/203.12, 128/203.15, 128/203.21
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0008 rotating by airflow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0025 with caps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0026 Hinged caps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0043 Non-destructive separation of the package, e.g. peeling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0045 using multiple prepacked dosages on a same carrier, e.g. blisters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0046 characterized by the type of carrier
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0051 the dosages being arranged on a tape, e.g. strips
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0055 the used dosages being coiled
• 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 15/0071 having a display or indicator
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0075 on a disc
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0091 mechanically breath-triggered
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/064 Powder
• CPC Class Codes: G06M 1/04 for driving the stage of lowest order with variable ratio of drive G06M1/38
• CPC Class Codes: G06M 1/045 for dial, pointer, or similar type indicating means

Abstract

Dry powder inhaler dose counters capable of making a display move swiftly between digits, in contrast to the progressive movement that occurs in simple gearing mechanisms.

Claims

1. A dry powder inhalation device comprising:

a housing defining a chamber;

a patient port in communication with said chamber;

an elongate carrier carrying medicament;

an advancement mechanism for advancing a length of the elongate carrier into the chamber;

a displacement sensor that advances in association with continuous advancement of the elongate carrier; and

a transfer component that converts the advancement of the displacement sensor into intermittent motion of a units dose display;

wherein the displacement sensor has a range of movably engaged positions wherein the displacement sensor movably engages the transfer component, and

the dry powder inhalation device further comprises a discrete alignment mechanism capable of moving the displacement sensor backwards to one of a plurality of spatially defined positions that are not within said range of movably engaged positions.

2. A dry powder inhalation device according to claim 1, further comprising a cover configured to cover the patient port when in a first position, wherein the cover is in mechanical communication with the advancement mechanism such that removing the cover from the patient port advances the advancement mechanism.

3. A dry powder inhalation device according to claim 2 wherein the discrete alignment mechanism comprises a reverse pawl wheel capable of engaging with a post fixed to the device housing.

4. A dry powder inhalation device according to claim 3 wherein the reverse pawl wheel comprises two pawl arms.

5. A dry powder inhalation device according to claim 4 wherein the discrete alignment mechanism comprises a slot in the reverse pawl wheel that is reversibly engageable with a post fixed to the device housing.

6. A dry powder inhalation device according to claim 1 wherein the advancement mechanism comprises a rotatable mouthpiece cover.

7. A dry powder inhalation device according to claim 1 wherein the advancement mechanism comprises an uptake spool.

8. A dry powder inhalation device according to claim 7 wherein the displacement sensor is driven by gears on the uptake spool.

9. A dry powder inhalation device according to claim 1 wherein the displacement sensor comprises a rotatable gear.

10. A dry powder inhalation device according to claim 1 wherein the transfer component comprises a Geneva wheel.

11. A dry powder inhalation device according to claim 10 wherein the Geneva wheel has scallops along its outer edge.

12. A dry powder inhalation device according to claim 1 wherein the units dose display is a geared units dose wheel with numerical indicia on one face of the wheel.

13. A dry powder inhalation device according to claim 12 further comprising a tens dose display comprising a geared tens dose wheel coupled to the units dose wheel and wherein the units dose display and the tens dose display cooperate to indicate a number of doses remaining in the device.

14. A dry powder inhalation device according to claim 13 wherein the tens dose wheel has scallops along its outer edge.

15. A dry powder inhalation device according to claim 1 wherein the elongate carrier is a dimpled tape.

16. A dry powder inhalation device according to claim 1 wherein the displacement sensor moves in association with movement of the elongate carrier.