The present invention relates to a metered dose inhaler (MDI) device comprising a mechanically activated visual cue representing a number of doses expelled from, or doses remaining in, a drug-containing cartridge or canister locatable within a body of said MDI, wherein the visual cue is visible through at least a portion of the body of said MDI, and a removable data processing system configured to verify the dose of drug administered and/or inhaled, wherein the MDI device further comprises a correlation system configured to correlate physically released doses from the drug containing cartridge or canister with the administration and/or inhalation data stored in the removable data processing system.

An inhaler for delivery of a medicament by inhalation is disclosed. The inhaler comprises a dispensing mechanism, the dispensing mechanism being configured to dispense a dose of medicament on actuation. The inhaler further comprises a dose counting mechanism comprising a counter and a translating member. The translating member comprises a pawl. The counter comprises a first count wheel, a second count wheel and an intermediate wheel engaged with the second count wheel and in selective engagement with the first count wheel. When the inhaler is fired to dispense a dose of medicament, the dispensing mechanism moves the translating member in a substantially linear direction. The pawl thus rotates the first count wheel, and as the first count wheel rotates, the intermediate wheel is selectively engaged thereby selectively rotating the second count wheel to count the doses of the inhaler.

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, there is provided a dry powder inhalation device comprising a housing defining a chamber, a patient port in communication with said chamber, an elongate carrier carrying medicament, an advancement mechanism for advancing a length of the elongate carrier into the chamber, a displacement sensor that advances in association with continuous advancement of the elongate carrier, and a transfer component that converts the advancement of the displacement sensor into intermittent motion of a units dose display.

A dose indicator or dose counter is disclosed which includes an indexable first display unit indexable about a first display axis, an indexable second display unit indexable about a second display axis, the second display axis being transverse to the first display axis, and a chassis comprising a chassis frame, a displacement portion comprising a drive means to engage the first display unit, and at least one hinge means directly or indirectly connecting the displacement portion and chassis frame. The drive means is preferably configured to index the dose indicator. The dose indicator/counter has a small number of components yet is effective, reliable and compact.

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 dry powder medicament inhaler for metering an inhalation of dry powdered medicament may include at least one inlet and at least one outlet, wherein a communication between said inlet and outlet at least includes a mixing and deaggregation chamber and at least two dosage communications between the inlet and the chamber. The inhaler may also include a dosage mechanism for arranging at least one dose of a medicament between the inlet and the chamber, such that said at least one dose may be delivered upon inhalation at said outlet through said communications. The inhaler may further include a locking mechanism, wherein on moving the dosage mechanism from a dose collecting position to a dose administering position the locking mechanism may be moved from an unlocked to a locked position preventing the metering of any further doses prior to resetting of the locking mechanism. Instead of a locking mechanism, the inhaler may include a dosage indicator or a counterweight mechanism. The inhaler may also include combinations of a locking mechanism, a dosage indicator, and a counterweight mechanism.

This invention relates to an inhalation device by which a user can inhale powdered pharmaceutical compositions or medications. Powdered medication is held in blister packs containing at least one or two separated pockets for two or more active pharmaceutical ingredients and is inhaled by users through inhalation devices. The invention also relates to an inhalation device for powdered pharmaceutical compositions comprising a medication blister pack containing two separated pockets to hold two active pharmaceutical ingredients, an opening station, and an outlet, the blister pack comprising two pockets for powdered medication contained between two members peelably secured to one another.

A dose indicator or dose counter is disclosed which includes an indexable first display unit indexable about a first display axis, an indexable second display unit indexable about a second display axis, the second display axis being transverse to the first display axis, and a chassis comprising a chassis frame, a displacement portion comprising a drive means to engage the first display unit, and at least one hinge means directly or indirectly connecting the displacement portion and chassis frame. The drive means is preferably configured to index the dose indicator. The dose indicator/counter has a small number of components yet is effective, reliable and compact.

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.

A device (20) is disclosed for dispensing a fluid supplied from an external fluid source. The device comprises a transducer (32) adapted to receive a fluid from the fluid source, and a collapsible linkage and trip link (502) coupling the transducer and the fluid source. The linkage has a collapsible joint inhibiting discharge of the fluid source when in a locked orientation. The device (20) further comprises a moveable member coupled to the linkage such that inhalation forces on the device cause the linkage to collapse thereby discharging the fluid from the fluid source. The device may further include a dose counter coupled to the fluid source for registering the amount of doses administered from the fluid source.