Inhalation device

• US 9,132,246 B2
• Filed: 04/09/2013
• Issued: 09/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MicroDose Therapeutx, Inc. (Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited)
• Original Assignee: MicroDose Therapeutx, Inc. (Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited)
• Inventors: Gumaste, Anand, Akouka, Henri
• Primary Examiner(s): DOUGLAS, STEVEN O
• Application Number:
  US13/859,519
• Publication Number:
  US 20130228175A1
• Time in Patent Office: 889 Days
• Field of Search: 128/204.21, 128/203.12, 128/204.23, 128/204.26, 128/203.25, 128/203.19
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0021 Mouthpieces therefor
• 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 15/0046 characterized by the type of carrier
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0085 using ultrasonics spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0021 with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/064 Powder
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/33 Controlling, regulating or measuring
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/35 Communication
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient

Abstract

A dry inhaler system includes a vibrating mechanism. A supply of a dry powder is operatively coupled to the vibrating mechanism. A power source communicates with the vibrating mechanism. A sensor communicates with the vibrating mechanism. A feedback control communicates with the sensor and the power source. The feedback control controls power delivered to the vibrating mechanism relative to information provided by the sensor about the performance of the vibrating mechanism.

Claims

1. A dry powder inhaler, comprising:

a vibrating mechanism;

a supply of a dry powder operatively coupled to the vibrating mechanism;

a power source in selective communication with the vibrating mechanism;

a sensor in communication with the vibrating mechanism, wherein the sensor is positioned to selectively measure a vibration of the vibrating mechanism when the power source is selectively removed from the vibrating mechanism;

a feedback control in communication with the sensor and the power source, whereby the feedback control controls power delivered to the vibrating mechanism; and

a frequency sweep generator connected between the power source and the vibrating mechanism for controlling a characteristic of power delivered to the vibrating mechanism.

2. The dry powder inhaler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vibrating mechanism further comprises a piezoelectric transducer.

3. The dry powder inhaler of claim 1, wherein the sensor further comprises a voltmeter.

4. The dry powder inhaler of claim 1, further comprising a memory in communication with the feedback control, whereby the memory stores at least one communication from the sensor to the feedback control relative to at least one communication from the feedback control to the power source.

5. The dry powder inhaler of claim 1, further comprising a peak power detector in communication with the sensor.

6. The dry powder inhaler of claim 1, wherein the vibrating mechanism further comprises a piezoelectric transducer and the sensor detects voltage output from the piezoelectric transducer.

7. The dry powder inhaler of claim 6, wherein the feedback controller correlates a plurality of power forms delivered to the vibrating mechanism with a plurality of output from the sensor.

8. The dry powder inhaler of claim 7, wherein the feedback controller identifies a power characteristic of the plurality of power forms delivered to the vibrating mechanism correlated with a highest output from the plurality of output from the sensor.