Powder inhaler
First Claim
1. A powdered medication inhaler comprising a hollow body having a chamber of substantial height for aerosolizing and settling powdered medication, means for admitting air into said chamber, means for connecting said body and said chamber to a living body for inhalation from said chamber into said living body, a storage hopper in said hollow body for storing powdered medication and having a discharge opening therefrom, a powdered medication discharge station opening into said chamber, transfer means having a medication transfer recess therein, said transfer means being in communication with said medication storage hopper through said discharge opening, said transfer means being movable from a position with said recess communicating with said discharge opening for receiving a predetermined quantity of powdered medication in said recess to a position communicating with said discharge station, said discharge station further comprising a pallet positioned beneath said discharge opening for gravitational passage of powdered medication from said recess to said pallet, said pallet being positioned above said living body connecting means, and means adjacent said pallet operatively connected to a source of gas under pressure for positively passing gas past said discharge station and said pallet in timed relation to delivery of powdered medication to said discharge station to carry powdered medication into said aerosolizing and settling chamber for gravitational settling toward said living body connecting means for inhalation of said medication into said living body.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A powdered medication inhaler is provided which comprises a body having a hollow chamber of substantial height. Powdered medication is transferred from a hopper by a dosing blade having an amperture therein to a transfer station opening into a chamber. In most embodiments of the invention the transfer station is adjacent the upper portion of the chamber, but in one embodiment it is adjacent the lower portion thereof. When the transfer station is adjacent the upper portion of the chamber it includes a pallet or cup on which powdered medication is dropped or blown from the dosing blade. Gas then carries the medication from the cup or pallet into the chamber for inhalation by a patient. In the embodiment in which the transfer station is adjacent the bottom of the chamber compressed gas blows the powder up into the chamber.
228 Citations
22 Claims
- 1. A powdered medication inhaler comprising a hollow body having a chamber of substantial height for aerosolizing and settling powdered medication, means for admitting air into said chamber, means for connecting said body and said chamber to a living body for inhalation from said chamber into said living body, a storage hopper in said hollow body for storing powdered medication and having a discharge opening therefrom, a powdered medication discharge station opening into said chamber, transfer means having a medication transfer recess therein, said transfer means being in communication with said medication storage hopper through said discharge opening, said transfer means being movable from a position with said recess communicating with said discharge opening for receiving a predetermined quantity of powdered medication in said recess to a position communicating with said discharge station, said discharge station further comprising a pallet positioned beneath said discharge opening for gravitational passage of powdered medication from said recess to said pallet, said pallet being positioned above said living body connecting means, and means adjacent said pallet operatively connected to a source of gas under pressure for positively passing gas past said discharge station and said pallet in timed relation to delivery of powdered medication to said discharge station to carry powdered medication into said aerosolizing and settling chamber for gravitational settling toward said living body connecting means for inhalation of said medication into said living body.
Specification