Systems and methods are described for monitoring usage of a medicament dispenserparticularly an inhaled medicament dispenser. The usage monitoring device is configured to emit a detection signal responsive to receiving a request to locate the medicament dispenser. The detection signal alerts presence of the medicament dispenser to the user of the medicament dispenser. The usage monitoring device can be embodied as an attachment configured to be selectively coupled to one of a variety of different inhalers including, for example, a Diskus-type inhaler and a Respimat-type inhaler.

The present invention relates to an inhaler which is appropriate for delivery of medicament in dry powder form used in respiratory diseases, particularly in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition, the present invention relates to an inhaler which includes a blister package appropriate for carrying the medicament in dry powder form and used to realize an effective inhalation.

A substance delivery module (4) and apparatus (2) for delivering a substance in aerosol form are disclosed. The substance delivery module (4) comprises a substance container (90), a piston (62) and an actuator (100) configured to engage the substance container (90) and urge the substance container (90) onto the piston (62), so dispensing the substance into the through passage (102) of the piston. The actuator (100) and substance container (90) are mounted in the substance delivery module (4) for relative motion, such relative motion bringing the actuator (100) into engagement with the substance container (90). The substance delivery module (4) may be assembled with an aerosol generator (10) and an aerosol delivery conduit (14) to form an apparatus (2) for delivering a substance in aerosol form. The apparatus (2) may further comprise a control module (6).

A breath-powered, dry powder inhaler, a cartridge, and a pulmonary drug delivery system are provided.

A substance delivery module and apparatus for delivering substance in aerosol form are disclosed. The substance delivery module includes a plurality of substance containers and a plurality of pistons, with each substance container being mounted in the module for cooperation with a dedicated piston. Another substance delivery module is disclosed that includes a piston defining a delivery axis and a substance container, moveably mounted with respect to the piston. The substance container is moveable along the delivery axis and may, for example, be moved toward and onto the piston. Either of the substance delivery modules may be assembled with an aerosol generator and an aerosol delivery conduit in fluid communication with the aerosol generator to form an apparatus for delivering substance in aerosol form. The apparatus may further include a control module.

An aerosol-forming article is provided, including an airflow inlet and an airflow outlet; a medicament source and a volatile delivery enhancing compound source disposed between the airflow inlet and the airflow outlet, and a moveable portion moveable between an open position in which the medicament source and the volatile delivery enhancing compound source are in fluid communication with both the airflow inlet and the airflow outlet, and a closed position in which each of the medicament source and the volatile delivery enhancing compound source is in communication with only one or none of the airflow inlet and the airflow outlet.

A breath-powered, dry powder inhaler, a cartridge, and a pulmonary drug delivery system are provided. The dry powder inhaler can be provided with or without a unit dose cartridge for using with the inhaler. The inhaler and/or cartridge can be provided with a drug delivery formulation comprising, for example, a diketopiperazine and an active ingredient, including, peptides and proteins such as insulin and glucagon-like peptide 1 for the treatment of diabetes and/or obesity. The dry powder inhaler is compact; can be provided in various shapes and sizes, colors, and comprises a housing, a mouthpiece, a cartridge placement area, and a mechanism for opening and closing the medicament cartridge. The device is easy to manufacture, provides a pre-metered single unit dose, it is relatively easy to use, and can be reusable or disposable.

The present invention provides for the integration of drug dispersion methods into a drug or medicine delivery system. The drug dispersion methods used include shear (e.g., air across a drug, with or without a gas assist), capillary flow or a venturi effect, mechanical means such as spinning, vibration, or impaction, and turbulence (e.g., using mesh screens, or restrictions in the air path). These methods of drug dispersion allow for all of the drug in the system to be released, allowing control of the dosage size. These methods also provide for drug metering, fluidization, entrainment, deaggragation and deagglomeration. The present invention also provides for the integration of a drug sealing system into the device. The drug sealing system provides a way of blocking the migration of drug from one area of the package to another. The drug seal system can also provide a method of tightly containing the drug until the package is opened, of directing airflow through the package and of managing and containing the drug during the package/device manufacturing process.

Systems and methods are described for monitoring usage of a medicament dispenserparticularly an inhaled medicament dispenser. The usage monitoring device is configured to emit a detection signal responsive to receiving a request to locate the medicament dispenser. The detection signal alerts presence of the medicament dispenser to the user of the medicament dispenser. The usage monitoring device can be embodied as an attachment configured to be selectively coupled to one of a variety of different inhalers including, for example, a Diskus-type inhaler and a Respimat-type inhaler.

A blister packaging for a pharmaceutical cartridge or capsule and methods of forming same are disclosed.