Patent classifications
A61M15/0078
Dose counter for inhaler having an anti-reverse rotation actuator
A dose counter for an inhaler includes a counter display arranged to indicate dosage information, and a drive system arranged to move the counter display incrementally in a first direction from a first station to a second station in response to actuation input. A regulator is provided which is arranged to act upon the counter display at the first station to regulate motion of the counter display at the first station to incremental movements.
COMPLIANCE-ASSISTING MODULE FOR AN INHALER
An inhaler includes a mouthpiece cover, a pressure sensor, a first indicator and a second indicator. The first indicator may be configured to indicate based on a state of the cover, and the second indicator may be configured to indicate based on an output of the pressure sensor. For example, when the mouthpiece cover opens, the first indicator may illuminate and a dose of medication may be transferred from a reservoir to a dosing cup. The second indicator may illuminate if an amount of inhaled medication reaches a predetermined threshold for successful inhalation.
INHALATION COUNTER
An inhalation counter (350, 450, 550) for an inhalation system (100) is provided. The inhalation system comprises a fluid flow passage (322) and the inhalation counter comprises an escapement wheel (352, 452), a biasing means (354, 454) for incrementing the escapement wheel, a conversion mechanism which, in use, is configured to perform a first action in response to a temporary increase in fluid flow rate through the fluid flow passage, and an anchor (356, 456). The anchor is coupled to the conversion mechanism and configured to interact with the escapement wheel so as to allow the biasing means to increment the escapement wheel in response to the first action of the conversion mechanism. A holder (300) and an inhalation system comprising the inhalation counter are also provided.
Compliance-assisting module for an inhaler
An inhaler includes a mouthpiece cover, a pressure sensor, a first indicator and a second indicator. The first indicator may be configured to indicate based on a state of the cover, and the second indicator may be configured to indicate based on an output of the pressure sensor. For example, when the mouthpiece cover opens, the first indicator may illuminate and a dose of medication may be transferred from a reservoir to a dosing cup. The second indicator may illuminate if an amount of inhaled medication reaches a predetermined threshold for successful inhalation.
MEDICAMENT DISPENSER
An inhalation device having at least one elongate medicament carrier including, but not limited to, a pair of sheets sealed together and a plurality of medicament powder doses positioned at spaced-apart locations between said sealed sheets, an outlet for a user to inhale from, and a mechanism for stepwise advancement of the at least one elongate medicament carrier.
Dose counter for a metered-dose inhaler
A dose counter for counting doses of medicament dispensed by or remaining in a metered-dose inhaler. The dose counter includes a rotatably mounted first gear wheel having ratchet teeth and a display coupled to the first gear wheel, the display having a visible array of dose counting indicia indexable in response to rotary motion of the first gear wheel. The dose counter further includes an actuator mechanism having a first ratchet drive pawl for engaging the ratchet teeth of the first gear wheel in response to the dispensation of a medicament dose, and a second ratchet drive pawl for engaging the ratchet teeth of a gear wheel coupled to the display. In use, a first ratchet tooth of the first gear wheel is rotatably driven by the first pawl and then a second ratchet tooth of the gear wheel coupled to the display is rotatably driven by the second pawl.
Dose counters for inhalers, inhalers and methods of assembly thereof
A method of manufacturing a series of incremental dose counters for inhalers, which includes manufacturing the dose counters with nominal canister fire and dose count positions of a dose counter actuator relative to a dose counter chassis or inhaler main body, and which includes building the dose counters with an average dose count position in the series being, in canister fire process, at or after an average canister fire position in the series.
Inhalers and Related Methods
A nasal inhaler for the inhalation of inhalable substances comprise: a canister having an interior reservoir containing pressurised inhalable substances including fluid; a metering valve including a metering chamber and a valve stem defining a communication path between the metering chamber and the interior reservoir, the communication path including an opening configured to permit flow between a transfer space inside the valve stem and the interior reservoir, the interior reservoir being arranged for orientation above the metering chamber whereby gas located within the metering chamber is replaced with liquid from the interior reservoir.
COMPLIANCE MONITORING MODULE FOR A BREATH-ACTUATED INHALER
A compliance monitoring module for a breath-actuated inhaler comprising: a miniature pressure sensor, a sensor port of said sensor being pneumatically coupled to a flow channel through which a user can inhale; a processor configured to: receive a signal originating from a dosing mechanism of the inhaler indicating that medication has been released; receive data from a sensing element of the sensor; and based on said signal from said dosing mechanism and said data from said sensing element, make a determination that inhalation of a breath containing medication through said flow channel complies with one or more predetermined requirements for successful dosing; and a transmitter configured to, responsive to said determination, issue a dosing report.
Inhalers and Related Methods
An inhaler (10) for the inhalation of inhalable substances comprise: a canister (50) having an interior reservoir (84) containing pressurised inhalable substances including fluid; a metering valve (52) including a metering chamber (82) and a valve stem (54) defining a communication path between the metering chamber and the interior reservoir, the communication path (86) including an opening (106) configured to permit flow between a transfer space inside the valve stem and the interior reservoir, the interior reservoir being arranged for orientation above the metering chamber whereby gas such as air located within the metering chamber is replaced with liquid from the interior reservoir.