Patent classifications
A61M15/0026
AEROSOL DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND RELATED METHODS
There is provided an electronically controlled, motor-driven, breath actuated metered dose inhaler for delivering aerosolized medicament or other matter to a user. The inhaler may comprise a base housing including a motor-driven actuator and other system components and a removable aerosol cartridge insertably receivable in the base housing. The inhaler may be paired with a smart phone or other client computing device to provide additional functionality, such as to provide instructional information and feedback regarding usage of the inhaler, to generate and display dosage tracking information, and to provide alerts and reminders to a user of the inhaler or others.
INHALER
An inhaler is provided, comprising a housing which contains a blister strip having a plurality of blisters which contain powdered medicament for inhalation; a mouthpiece mounted on the housing through which the medicament is inhaled by a user; an actuator; a blister piercing member; an indexing wheel for sequentially moving each blister into alignment with the blister piercing member when the user operates the actuator; an actuator gear, mounted for rotation about a first axis, which is driven by the actuator and which comprises an actuator gear element; and a drive gear for driving the indexing wheel, mounted for rotation about a second axis, which engages with the actuator gear element. The inhaler is characterized in that the gear ratio between the actuator gear element and the drive gear varies as they rotate during operation of the actuator.
APPARATUS TO ADMINISTER DRUGS TO MECHANICALLY VENTILATED PATIENTS
An apparatus to administer drugs to mechanically ventilated patients includes a mechanical ventilator, an artificial airway to be associated to a patient and a ventilation circuit connecting the mechanical ventilator to the artificial airway. The ventilation circuit includes: an inspiratory line, a dry powder inhaler disposed in line on the inspiratory line and a connector operatively connected to the dry powder inhaler and to the inspiratory line. The connector includes: a first duct facing an outlet port of the dry powder inhaler and connected or configured to be connected to a tube section of the inspiratory line placed downstream the dry powder inhaler; a second duct facing an air inlet port of the dry powder inhaler and connected or configured to be connected to a tube section of the inspiratory line placed upstream the dry powder inhaler.
INHALER SYSTEM
Provided is a system (10) for determining a probability of a CORD exacerbation in a subject. The system comprises a first inhaler (100) for delivering a rescue medicament to the subject. The rescue medicament may be suitable for treating the subject's acute respiratory disease, for example by effecting rapid dilation of the bronchi and bronchioles upon inhalation of the medicament. The first inhaler has a use-detection system (12B) configured to determine a rescue inhalation performed by the subject using the first inhaler. The system optionally includes a second inhaler for delivering a maintenance medicament to the subject during a routine inhalation A sensor system (12A) is configured to measure a parameter relating to airflow during the rescue inhalation and/or during the routine inhalation, when the second inhaler is included in the system. The system further comprises a processor (14) configured to determine a number of the rescue inhalations during a first time period, and receive the parameter measured for at least some of the rescue and/or routine inhalations. The processor then determines, using a weighted model, the probability of the CORD exacerbation based on the number of rescue inhalations and the parameters. The model is weighted such that the parameters are more significant in the probability determination than the number of rescue inhalations. Further provided is a method for determining the probability of a COPD exacerbation in a subject, which method employs the weighted model.
WARNING SYSTEM, INHALER, AND METHOD FOR GENERATING WARNING
A warning system for use with an inhaler includes an operating mechanism that is configured to be actuated to a reset state, a primed state, and a fired state. The inhaler dispenses a metered dose of a medicament upon actuation of the operating mechanism from the primed state to the fired state. The warning system includes a control circuit that is activated upon actuation of the operating mechanism from the primed state to the fired state. The warning system also includes an alert device communicably coupled to the control circuit and configured to generate a warning. Further, the control circuit is configured to control the alert device to generate the warning until the operating mechanism has been actuated from the fired state to the reset state.
INHALATION MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHOD
An inhalation monitoring system includes an inhaler having a medicament delivery apparatus configured to deliver medicament to a user during an inhalation of the user; inhalation monitoring apparatus, configured to, during the inhalation, gather data for determining a measure of the user's lung function and/or lung health; and a processor configured to receive the data from the inhalation monitoring apparatus and, using the data, determine a measure of the user's lung function and/or lung health.
Medicinal inhaler refill assemblies comprising a lockout override mechanism
A refill assembly (129) for use in a medicinal inhaler (100). The refill assembly includes a patient port (110), and an adapter (118) configured to cause a dose of medicament to be released. The adapter is movable between a first position in which a dose of medicament is not released and a second position in which a dose of medicament is released. The refill assembly further includes a lockout mechanism positioned to lock the adapter in its first position, and a lockout override actuator (223). The lockout override actuator is movable between a first position in which the lockout mechanism is in a first locked state, and a second position in which the lockout mechanism is in a second unlocked state and the adapter is movable from its first position to its second position even when the refill assembly is not coupled to a reusable assembly.
Drug delivery device with electronics
A device for delivering medication to a user may include a main body, an electronics module, and a slider. The main body may include a mouthpiece, a medication reservoir, and a mouthpiece cover, where the mouthpiece cover may be hinged to the main body. The electronics module may include a communication circuit, a pressure sensor, and a switch. The slider may be configured to engage the switch when the mouthpiece cover moves from a closed position to an open position. The switch may be configured to switch the electronics module from an off state or a sleep state to an active state. The electronics module may be configured to never return to the off state after the mouthpiece cover is moved to expose the mouthpiece for the first time by the user.
DEVICE FOR THE INHALATION-SYNCHRONIZED DISPENSING OF A FLUID PRODUCT
A device having a body (10), a reservoir (100) mounted to slide axially relative to the body, a metering valve (200) on the reservoir (100), a blocking element (500), a trigger element (600), an inhalation-controlled trigger system (60) cooperating with the trigger element, an actuating member (800) cooperating with the blocking element, a cover (11) fixed on the body, a push member (810) fastened tot actuating member (800) and mounted to slide axially in the cover, and a spring (850) between the cover and the push member. Before inhalation, the push member is out of contact with the reservoir, such that the force exerted on the push member by the spring is not transmitted to the reservoir, and during inhalation, the push member moves axially with the actuating member so as to come into contact with the reservoir and move it axially in the body to actuate said valve.
DOSE COUNTER ASSEMBLIES FOR MEDICAMENT DISPENSERS
There is provided a dose counter assembly for use with a medicament dispenser, the dose counter assembly comprising: a) a units dose display means comprising a first count indicia and one or more driver teeth; b) a tens dose display means comprising a second count indicia; and c) a driver, wherein the first count indicia and second count indicia align at a common viewing area to collectively display a count sequence.