Dry powder inhaler dose counters

• US 9,987,442 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2015
• Issued: 06/05/2018
• 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, Stephan W., Domroese, Michael K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yu, Justine
• Assistant Examiner(s): SUL, DOUGLAS YOUNG
• Application Number:
  US14/817,047
• Publication Number:
  US 20150335836A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,037 Days
• 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 dose counting device comprising:

an advancement mechanism;

a displacement sensor that advances in association with continuous advancement of the advancement mechanism; 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 dose counting 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. The dose counting device of claim 1 further comprising an elongate carrier in communication with the advancement mechanism, the carrier comprising multiple, regularly spaced doses, wherein the spacing between each dose corresponds to the net movement of the displacement sensor.

3. The dose counting device of claim 2, wherein the doses comprise a medicament that is releasably retained on a surface of the elongate carrier.

4. The dose counting device of claim 3, wherein the medicament is releasably retained on the surface by at least one of electrostatic attraction, van der Waals forces, physical attraction, mechanical binding, and wedging.

5. The dose counting device of claim 1, wherein the discrete alignment mechanism comprises a reverse pawl wheel capable of engaging with a post fixed to the device housing.

6. The dose counting device of claim 5, wherein the reverse pawl wheel comprises two pawl arms.

7. The dose counting device of claim 5, 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.

8. The dose counting device of claim 1, wherein the advancement mechanism comprises a rotatable mouthpiece cover of an inhaler.

9. The dose counting device of claim 1, wherein the advancement mechanism comprises an uptake spool.

10. The dose counting device of claim 9, wherein the displacement sensor is driven by gears on the uptake spool.

11. The dose counting device of claim 1, wherein the displacement sensor comprises a rotatable gear.

12. The dose counting device of claim 1, wherein the transfer component comprises a Geneva wheel.

13. A method of counting doses, the method comprising advancing an advancement mechanism,

wherein advancement of the advancement mechanism causes a displacement sensor to advance,

wherein the displacement sensor is in communication with 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 in which the displacement sensor movably engages the transfer component, and

wherein the dose counting device further comprises a discrete alignment mechanism configured to move the displacement sensor, after the displacement sensor has been fully advanced, backwards to one of a plurality of spatially defined positions that are not within said range of movably engaged positions.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising a dose carrier in communication with the advancement mechanism, wherein advancement of the advancement mechanism also advances the dose carrier.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the dose carrier comprises regularly spaced doses of a medicament.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the distance between each dose corresponds to the net movement of the displacement sensor.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprising a lever in communication with the advancement mechanism, wherein movement of the lever causes the advancement mechanism to advance.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the lever comprises a mouthpiece cover for an inhaler.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein moving the lever opens a mouthpiece of the inhaler.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein closing the mouthpiece cover over the mouthpiece resets the advancement mechanism and the displacement sensor.