Medicament dispenser

• US 7,322,355 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2000
• Issued: 01/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smithkline Beecham Corporation (Smithkline Beecham PLC)
• Original Assignee: Smithkline Beecham Corporation (Smithkline Beecham PLC)
• Inventors: Robertson, Duncan, Rand, Paul Kenneth, Jones, Anthony Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Douglas; Steven O.
• Application Number:
  US10/149,267
• Publication Number:
  US 20030005926A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,608 Days
• Field of Search: 128/203.21, 128/203.15, 128/203.18, 128/203.19, 128/203.22, 128/200.22, 128/200.12, 128/200.18, 128/200.14, 128/200.23, 128/204.12, 128/206.11, 128/207.18
• US Class Current: 128/203.21
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0023 retractable
• 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 15/0043 Non-destructive separation of the package, e.g. peeling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0051 the dosages being arranged on a tape, e.g. strips
• 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 15/0068 Indicating or counting the number of dispensed doses or of remaining doses
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/008 Electronic counters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/009 using medicine packages with incorporated spraying means, e.g. aerosol cans pocket atomiser of the injector type A61M11/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0091 mechanically breath-triggered
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/064 Powder
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0266 Shape memory materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3306 Optical measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/332 Force measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3584 using modem, internet or bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6054 Magnetic identification systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8212 with means or measures taken for minimising energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/825 using mechanical generation of electricity, e.g. hand cranked generators

Abstract

There is provided a medicament dispenser comprising a body, a medicament container and reset means for resetting a mechanical mechanism after actuation thereof, wherein the reset means comprises a reset coupling. The coupling is reversibly deformable in response to the application of non-mechanical energy thereto. The non-mechanical energy may comprise heat energy, electrical current energy, electrical field energy or magnetic field energy.

Claims

1. A medicament dispenser comprising a body, a medicament container having a dose-liberating means for liberating a dose of medicament from the container, a mechanical mechanism actuable to cause the dose-liberating means to liberate a dose of medicament from the container, and reset means for resetting the mechanical mechanism after actuation thereof, wherein the reset means comprises a reset coupling comprising at least one wire, strip, coil or tube which is reversibly contractible in response to electrical current flow therethrough.

2. A medicament dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the mechanical mechanism is a trigger means.

3. A medicament dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the dose-liberating means takes the form of a valve.

4. A medicament dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the coupling comprises multiple wires, strips, coils or tubes.

5. A medicament dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the coupling comprises one or more wires which contract in response to electrical current flow therethrough.

6. A medicament dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the one or more wires exhibit(s) a degree of contraction of from 2% to 8% on electrical current flow therethrough.

7. A medicament dispenser according to claim 6, wherein the one or more wires comprise(s) an alloy which undergoes a phase transition on electrical current flow therethrough.

8. A medicament dispenser according to claim 7, wherein said alloy is a nickel-titanium alloy.

9. A medicament dispenser according to claim 8, wherein said nickel-titanium alloy comprises from 5% to 95% nickel by weight and from 95% to 5% titanium by weight.

10. A medicament dispenser according to claim 8, wherein said nickel-titanium alloy additionally comprises copper, niobium or any mixtures thereof.

11. A medicament dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the alloy is a copper-zinc-aluminium alloy or a copper-aluminium-nickel alloy.

12. A medicament dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the alloy has the composition defined as Ni_65-x-yMn₂₀+xGa₁₅+y, where x is between 3 atomic % and 15 atomic % and y is between 3 atomic % and 12 atomic %.

13. A medicament dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the alloy has the composition defined as (Ni_aFe_bCo_c)_65-x-y(Mn_dFe_eCo_f)₂₀+x(Ga_gSi_hAl_i)₁₅+y, where x is between 3 atomic % and 15 atomic % and y is between 3 atomic % and 12 atomic %, and where a+b+c=1, where d+e+f=1, and g+h+i=1.

14. A medicament dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the alloy comprises an ion-exchange polymer composite.

15. A medicament dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the alloy comprises a contractile polymer.

16. A medicament dispenser according to claim 5, wherein said one or more wires have a diameter from 30 to 400 micrometers.

17. A medicament dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the coupling is contractible in response to heating arising from electrical current flow in the range from 100A to 0.01A.

18. A medicament dispenser according to claim 1, additionally comprising an electrical energy source.

19. A medicament dispenser according to claim 1, in the form of an inhaler for the delivery of inhalable medicament.

20. A medicament dispenser according to claim 19, wherein heating arising from flow of electrical current through the coupling and hence, actuation of the reset means is responsive to a patient-actuable mechanism comprising a sensor which senses the breath of a patient.

21. A medicament dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the medicament container comprises medicament in solution or suspension form.

22. A medicament dispenser according to claim 21 wherein the medicament container comprises a suspension of a medicament in a propellant.

23. A medicament dispenser according to claim 21 wherein the medicament container comprises a solution of a medicament in a solvent.